CHANGCHUN, Northeast China, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- China won the men's and women's 50 km events in the FIS Vasaloppet cross country at Jingyutan National Forest Park here on Saturday.

    More than 5,000 skiers from 23 countries and regions competed in the events, which was a part of the 2010 Vasaloppet China.

    Xia Wan, gold medalist in the 11th National Games, won the men's events in two hours 28 minutes and 53.1 seconds while his teammates Zhang Yu and Bian Wenyou finished second and third.

    Sun Bo won the women's events in 2:47:34.9. Her teammate Song Xinxue got the silver and Therese Svensson of Sweden was third.

    Vasaloppet is a cross-country ski race originated from Sweden in 1922 to commemorate Swedish King Gustav Vasa, who led the overthrow of the Danish reign. Changchun has been one of the host cities since 2003.